Press Release, 9.05.2021

Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

Yabloko leaders and activists honoured the memory of those who died in the Second World War at the Preobrazhensky cemetery in Moscow. They laid flowers and a wreath at the War Memorial.

The solemn and mourning ceremony was attended by Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov, Grigory Yavlinsky, Yabloko founder and Chairman of the Yabloko Federal Political Committee, Sergei Ivanenko, Yabloko Deputy Chairman, Ivan Bolshakov, Yabloko Deputy Chairman, Sergei Mitrokhin, deputy of the Moscow City Duma, Kirill Goncharov, member of the Federal Bureau of the party, Galina Mikhaleva, head of the Yabloko Gender Faction and others.

“When I come to mass graves, I think about how many millions of our citizens gave their lives for us, how many families were not created, how many children were not born in our country… Because of the war. Today is a very touching and important day in our life – Victory Day. It is true – this is a holiday with tears in our eyes, with tears for those who did not live to see Victory Day. Protect the world! Take care of yourself and your families! Happy Victory Day!” Nikolai Rybakov said.

It was at the Preobrazhenskoye cemetery that the largest War Memorial was erected at the beginning of the 21st century and the first Eternal Flame in the capital was lit over the mass grave of soldiers who died in the Second World War.

More than 10,000 soldiers and commanders of the Red Army, most of whom died due to the mortal wounds received during the war, are buried at the military site of the cemetery.

Members of the Yabloko party also took part in the laying of flowers for Victory Day in the Alexander Garden by the Kremlin on May 7 and in St. Petersburg at the Piskarevskoye cemetery on May 8.